The English Opens Doors Program

The English Opens Doors Program, of the Chilean Ministry of Education and supported by the United Nations Development Program, aims to increase the English proficiency of Chilean students and teachers of English as an indispensable skill to aid in Chile’s continued development in our globalizing world. An exciting and important part of this initiative is to bring native and near-native English speakers, between the ages of 21 and 35 years, into Chilean public schools to develop the listening and speaking skills of young Chileans as well as to encourage cultural exchange. These native and near-native English speakers are recruited, selected, and trained through the National Volunteer Center to volunteer as English Language Teaching Assistants in the Chilean school system.

The Program was created in 2003 with the mission to improve the level of English for students between 5th grade and 12th grade throughout the Chilean public school system by providing teacher training, instructional materials, language competitions, English immersion camps, and semester abroad scholarships for university students. The English Opens Doors Program seeks to foster a new generation of Chilean students equipped with the tools and abilities they will need to succeed in an increasingly globalized world.

The Program includes:Professional development coursesResources for English teaching in rural schoolsEnglish teacher networksScholarships for future English teachersSummer and Winter English CampsPublic Speaking, Debates, and Spelling Bee competitionsNational Volunteer Center

The National Volunteer Center, which is a branch of the English Opens Doors Program and is supported by the United Nations Development Programme-Chile, recruits native and near-native English speakers to come to Chile and work as teaching assistants in Chilean classrooms, specifically to improve students’ listening and speaking skills. Volunteers also assist with other initiatives of the English Opens Doors Program, such as debates, Public Speaking, Spelling Bee, and English Camps.

Volunteers teach and encourage the study of English while living with Chilean host families and interacting with members of the local community.

Our Activities

What We Need

Each EODP volunteer is expected to:

Act as an ambassador for his or her home country and for the Chilean Ministry of Education. As such, he or she is responsible for his or her personal conduct and behavior as well as his or her level of professionalism at all times.Support and facilitate your students' learning by:Creating an atmosphere and class style that allows students to feel more comfortable and expressive in an all-English environmentMaking the subject of English entertaining by planning and carrying out didactic classes and activities focused on stimulating students' "speaking and listening" abilitiesProviding your students with the opportunity to learn about your culture thereby promoting the English language as a gateway to other culturesBe proactive and independent, and take initiative in regards to his or her personal health, safety and well-being.Regard his or her students, colleagues, host family and fellow volunteers with an attitude of mutual learning, cooperation and respect.Read, understand, and abide by the 2016 Terms of Participation.Maintain a superior level of communication with the National Volunteer Center and Regional Representatives. More details on the communication protocols will be given during volunteer orientation.

What We Provide

Accommodation

Meals

Volunteers receive:

TEFL training during week-long orientation.Online Spanish course.A volunteer allowance of CLP 70,000 per 30 days of service to reimburse local transportation or other costs related to teaching.Accommodations and meals with a host family.In-country health insurance.Pre-departure information and support.Airport transfers to designated accommodations upon arrival for volunteers who arrive on official program start dates.Assistance obtaining a Chilean I.D. card and a basic bank account.Round-trip transportation from Santiago to the regional placement site.

Important Info

Suitable For

Everyone

Minimum Stay

Any period of time

Staff Size

5 to 10 people

Fees

We are 100% FEE-FREE! Visas fees are also waived!

Watch Us

Reviews

Your Contact Person

Jeremy Gould

Libertador O, All regions, Chile.

86% response rate

Application Process

Be a native or near-native English speaker.Have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited university and be between 21 and 35 years old. Applicants under 21 will not be accepted. Applicants over 35 are still encouraged to apply, and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.Be mentally and physically capable of teaching children.Be willing to dedicate their energy and time to teaching, and making students their priority.Have an interest in Chilean culture and a desire to live in Chile.Be highly committed, responsible, and flexible.Have access to sufficient funds to cover personal expenditures throughout the duration of the program.Assume the associated costs (transportation to consulate, cost of obtaining documents) of obtaining a Temporary Residence Visa before arriving in Chile. Direct visa fees from the consulate will be waived.Assume the cost of international transportation to Santiago according to the program start date.